Honest Book Reviews

Here I will review all the books I consume on a weekly basis. I hope you can recommend and read my recommendations. I will also slip an occasional painting.

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Ill Stand by You by Sharon Sala Sharon Sala I have a bone to pick with you! I have not slept in 2 days because I'll Stand by You just would not allow it! How could I possibly turn off my kindle and not know what Johnny Pine and Dori were doing? The other bone that needs picking is this: I have been married 15 years and you straight up wrote a character that I fell in love with. Luckily my husband has the sweet, kind, hardworking and loyal soul of our Johnny Pine or he would have had some work to do. All kidding aside- I'll stand by You is a fantastic book. A book to be gobbled and absorbed until you reluctantly come to the end. I adore Dori and Johnny. Both grew up fast because life demanded it from them. There are lessons to be had in this book. Most of all- Do not judge each other. Classism is a real issue and it is unfortunate. If you are taking the time to read this review I beg of you to give this book a shot. Go on over to the library, to Amazon, your local store or wherever it is you obtain your books and make sure you get a copy of I’ll Stand by You by Sharon Sala. It's one of those books that get you over the slump of having read a bunch of heavy books and just want that happily ever after. Yes, there is a tad bit of 'Insta-love" but it is not corny or eye rolling inducing. I promise. It’s one of those books where you feel like you may know these people or even better, you may relate to the issues in your own life. Side note - that husband of mine? Insta-love. Really... it's a thing. Thank you Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for honoring me with and advanced e-copy in exchange for this review.

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The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble Two out Five Stars

This is not easy for me. I'm such a fan of books and of the authors who write them. I will always point out the positive when writing a review. The positive points of Colleen Coble's The Inn at Oceans Edge is that the concept of this mystery was a good one. Unfortunately, the execution of it was horrible.

Claire heads to Maine to assist her father in merger that they hope will save their hotel. Once she steps foot inside she has a panic attack but isn't sure why she is so distressed. To relax, she talks a walk along Maine coast and meets Luke. After a quick run in he asks her if she is the same Claire that went missing for a year when she was 4. Claire was clueless. Her parents had never told her. Up to this point I had hopes for the book. The descriptions of the coast pulled me in and I thought hmmm... this may get interesting.

For me it went downhill very quickly from there. There are sequences of events that follow that are ridiculous only because of the complete lack of emotion. For example, if you witnessed someone get thrown off a cliff and the body landed at your feet, it may freak you out about right? How about if you turn the body over and noticed I KNOW this person!!! Traumatic no? Not for Claire. Not even when she gets knocked over the head at scene and wakes up to the body being snatched. Claire simply goes back to hotel and is more concerned about her parents telling her about her disappearance.

I'm sorry but c'mon. This girl had a panic attack a few hours earlier the sees a murdered acquaintance and it's like she was in a fender bender. This is all in the first chapters. The book does have twists and turns that could've made this a great mystery. It just did not contain the character development to pull off any emotional connection. As the mystery unfolded I found myself rolling eyes. I don't think this would have been the case had I been connected to the characters.

Again, great concept. Just too one dimensional.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

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As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti

As Waters Gone By is one of those books that you savor. Every chapter I knew I was getting closer to the end and I wanted to take my time with it. Cynthia Ruchti could do workshops on how to create characters that jump off the pages and land straight in your heart.

There was not one character that did not have depth. The kind of depth that makes you relate to them on a very personal level.

As Waters Gone By is a book about self-reflection, self-acceptance, family, forgiveness, getting through life as life as thrown at you.

The book revolves the main character Emmalyn. When we meet her she is trying to piece her life together and her husband is in 4th year of a 5 year prison sentence. Leaving their family and old town behind she journeys to the little islands off Lake Superior. There, she slowly renovates her and her husband, Max,'s little cottage. In the process she meets new friends and slowly starts to heal. This little synopsis in no way justifies all of what this book is about. Please just read how much it touched me and the other reviewers. Then tuck in and thank me when you've finished.

It wasn't until I finished this book and went to write my review on Goodreads did I realize this book is labeled as "Christian Fiction". I would have never had requested it had I known. In no way does this book preach. The characters arejust everyday people who are suffering. Some of the characters are able to find light and love through their faith. Like I said .. I may not have requested this book to review had I thought it was Christian Fiction. Sometimes I bristle at being preached because I believe faith and spirituality is a personal thing. But I would have missed out on one of the best books I have read this year and one of the most touching.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.. indeed.

Thank you Netgalley and Abingdon Press for the privelage of reading this book in exchange

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Lavina by Mary Marcus

Lavina took me a few chapters to really understand who was who but once I got it all straight I was able to invest emotionally. It really wasn't hard because Lavina is charged with emotion. Telling different perspectives and thoughts on the civil rights movements lent to a wide array of emotion. Where I believe Mary Marcus is genius is in the ability to balance such an intense time in history with humor and compassion.

Lavina is book that I will definitely re-read in the future.

Thank you Netgalley and The Story Plant for this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Best YA Dystopian book I have read. I loved it. By the way, I am 39. In some circles I suppose I am still considered a young adult. I am a huge fan of good ending and Once Upon a Curse had a great ending.

Character driven but with tons of action. Kaitlyn Davis is an author to watch for sure.

Thank you Kaitlyn Davis and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest

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When The Balls Drop by Brad Garrett

Oh MY! That cover!! That title!! I was laughing before getting to the first page!

I have always enjoyed watching Brad Garrett on every show he has been on. His comic timing, his poise, and his facial expression never cease to draw a smile from my face. Who knew he could write? I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of When the Balls Drop.

I am recommending this book everyone I know. He is so refreshingly honest and sincere while still making me laugh out. There are so many books for women that we can we call "middle aged" but no so many for men. I was fascinated and intrigued to be honest.

Not only did I have a blast reading it I actually feel I have a good understanding of what my husband will be or is going through.

Brad Garrett is a great soul and I am so glad he decided to write. He is a brave man. My husband doesn't read by he IS going to read this.

Great Book for women and men alike. DO NOT PASS THIS BUY.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the advanced copy in exchange for this review.

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The Sound of Glass by Karen White Five out of Five Stars

The Sound of Glass

Karen White quite simply never gets it wrong. Storytelling seems to be as natural and breathing air to her and I for one will never miss a book she puts out. The Sound of Glass of one of her best. The book blurb does a great job of explaining what the book is about so I won't recap the book chapter by chapter for you. What I will tell you is that you best forget the laundry, the dishes, dinner, or any other chore that you had planned on doing today because Karen White will be monopolizing your day.

This is a character driven story about family, forgiveness, letting go, with just enough mystery to make it impossible to set down. I felt so strongly for Merritt. Her pain, her fear, and complete distrust was tangable as she tried to build a new life in the house she had so expectantly inherited.

What I love the most about Karen White's writing is it is not rushed but it is never slow. She is an expert as pacing her stories and bringing her characters to life. I am still thinking about Loralee and Merritt and sweet little Owen.

I read so much that sometimes I forget details of a book months after I have read them. This is never the case with a Karen White novel. I would also highly recommend The Time Between. Five Stars.

Thank you so much Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW for the advanced copy in exchange for this review

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Until the Harvest

Sarah Loudin Thomas is a new author to me and an author that I will continue to follow. Until the Harvest is one of those books that you snuggle in and let take you away. The writing is so seamless that you can almost hear the conversations going on around you. I absolutley adored the characters, particularly Mayfield and Emily..

I was not aware that this was the second book about this family and really it I doesn't matter. It is perfectly fine on it's own. I will however go back and purchase Miracle in a Dry Season to get the back story on the Phillips family.

If you are reading this review you will have a good sense that this book is about family, grief, coming of age, and change.

I am not sure if I can express how uplifting and absolutely at peace this book made me feel. I cannot pin point why exactly but it was one of those reading experiences you hope for when you crack the spine (or download) a new novel.

If I haven't convinced you by now to click "buy" then I hope another reviewer will do so because this is a book you should not miss. You will regret it if you do.

Thank you Negalley and Bethany House for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review.

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WHAT A RIDE!!!! Terra Harmony has an imagination that doesnt quit and the killer writing skills to pull you right into it. I was lucky enough to receive the entire The Painted Maidens Trilogy in one book. You would think that after the first installment or maybe two, I may want a break. Not so. I floated through these novels like I was there watching from the sidelines. I love books that suck me in so completely you forget you are actually reading and nothing around seems to exist.

The blurbs do a great job letting you know what the book is about so I wont bore you with all the details. I will tell you the character of the new Queen - Serena - is likable, relatable, and perfectly drawn. The world building is ridiculous! (In a good way, sorry I have been around my 12 year too much)

I sincerely enjoyed this Trilogy and will be recommending to all my fellow Fantasy readers.

Thank you Netgalley and Patchwork Press for the copy in exchange for this review.

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The Canterbury Sisters by Kim Wright Published by Gallery Threshold Pocketbooks

I loved, loved, LOVED this novel! Ever read a book that once in awhile you step back and think “I am having a blast reading this!” ? It may sound silly but that’s how I felt while reading The Canterbury Sisters.

The novel is narrated by Che De Milan whose eccentric Mother just passed and has hit a snag with the man she’s been with for years. With nothing holding her back she decides to honor her Mothers wishes and take her ashes to the Canterbury Cathedral. From here we meet the other eight women in her guided group and I loved every one of them.

It can be tricky creating 9 different characters who all have a huge voice in the book but I was never confused and felt each women had their distinct traits.

The Canterbury Sisters is rich, hilarious, sweet, and a magical story of the complexities of getting older, of relationship, of growing up, and the intense bond that can form between women. I loved Che and found her to be a refreshing heroine. She was at times judgemental and obtuse but we get to see her slowly break down her walls. I related to her on many levels.

Kim Wright is gifted at explaining and the inner workings women’s heart. The good, bad, and the ugly. The Canterbury Sisters is a novel I will pass this book down to all my girlfriends. Great great read.I cannot wait to read another novel by Kim Wright.

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for this review.

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Jack of Spades by Joyce Carol Oates Published by Grove Atlantic 📘📙📘📙📚 Amazingly creepy and enthralling. Done as only Joyce Carol Oates can. It's unbelievable to me how some authors just never get it wrong. Joyce Carol Oates is inarguably one of those writers. Her plots are always fresh and her characters are so vivid you'd think these people truly exist. Jack of Spades is a suspenseful and you can feel something sinister lurking beneath the surface of successful mystery writer Andrew J Rush. On the surface he is a living family man and pillar of community. Sure he writes dark and almost forbidden novel under a pseudonym Jack of Spades. But he's a writer and like all of us, had a dark side. Then you start wondering just how dark this dark side goes and if it limited to just the pages of Jack of Spades novels. This book kept guessing and often the little airs on my neck would stand up. Did I mention I read this book in a day and a half.? Could not put it down. Thank you Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

I hate only being able to give this book a 5 star rating. It would rate it 10 moons if I could. Lucinda Riley's writing is beautiful. I simply don't know what other adjective to use. Pick one. Seamless, whimsical, witty, smart, lyrical, enthralling, enchanting.... see? I simply cannot pick one. The Seven Sisters is the first installment in an exciting new series based 6 Sisters all adopted by their beloved Pa Salt. They grew up in Switzerland on their very own island. Their mysterious father has always been fabulously wealthy and eccentric. There is no luxury these girls did not grow up with, except the knowledge of exactly what their father did and at times his presence. Regardless of this they all loved him dearly and treasure their own memories. When the get word that Pa Salt has died they all come home. This installment is about the eldest sister Maia D’Apliese. Upon the reading of their fathers estate the sisters are all handed a clue as their true origins. From here the journey begins. The Seven Sisters is a long book but you do not realize it. You simply go where Lucinda Riley decides to take you and real world be damned. The only thing keeping from being mortified that it is over is the knowledge that there are more books to come. I cannot wait to unravel the mystery as to who Pa Salt really was, the true stories about the adoptions and origins of the other sisters. This book is exquisite and will definitely be re-read in the future. Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

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The Beekeepers Daughter

I literally floated through this exquisitely written story in one Sunday morning. To say Santa Monteflore is talented would be sinful understatement. She has that ability to make you feel as if you can smell the flowers and hear the conversations. To put it simply The Beekeepers Daughter made me smile. It was so refreshing to read writing of this caliber in a romance. While I kept flipping the pages to see what would happen next, I wasn't weighed down by that sense of dread of evil or something sinister lurking around the corner. Set in England in the 1930s and the coast of New England in the 1970's we learn about Grace as both a young girl and women, then as the mother of spirited Trixie, her beloved daughter. As Trixie falls in love with a young British musician who is in America to try and get a record deal, she's is forced to make decisions about her future. Her father Freddie, who has always been distant and conservative takes a passionate disliking to to her first love. She believes he is just strict and cold from the war that disfigured him so many years ago in his native England. Little does she know her boyfriend is a descendant of someone both her father and mother know well. This is the catalyst of learning about her parents love story and past. It's a beautifully told story that sweeps over generations and will grab hold of you instantly. I like a little romance in a novel but cringe often in pure romance fiction. Cliches and instA-love stories make me nauseous and bore me to death. The BeeKeepers Daughter is refreshing and one of those very rare books that I may read again. Thank you Netgalley and Simon Schuster for the advanced readers copy in exchanged for this review.